Biomedical subjects

Sue Hignett

Publications and source records attributed to Sue Hignett.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Competency-based training for patient handling.

A technique-training approach has traditionally been used to address the problem of back pain associated with patient handling. This project aimed to investigate whether different levels of safety culture, based on competency-based training, resulted in different behaviour (physical and cognitive) for patient handling tasks. Sixteen healthcare organisations in the UK participated from the acute and primary healthcare sectors. Archival data for each organisation were benchmarked against the Royal College of Nursing competencies for manual handling. Behavioural data were collected on two patient handling tasks: (1) sitting-to-standing and (2) repositioning-in-sitting using observations (postural analysis) and interviews (verbal protocol analysis). The data were analysed for each organisation and then grouped by task and method into larger data sets. These data sets were triangulated using the key decision-making points (from the interview data) as the framework. The results showed that in organisations with a more positive safety culture the nursing staff demonstrated more complex decision-making about the patient handling tasks and had lower levels of associated postural risk.

Back Pain↗

PubMed2005

Reviewing ambulance design for clinical efficiency and paramedic safety.

This study aimed to review the layout of the patient compartment in a UK ambulance for paramedic efficiency and safety using: (1) link analysis; (2) postural analysis. Paramedics were observed over 16 shifts (130 h) carrying out a range of clinical tasks. The most frequently occurring clinical tasks were checking blood oxygen saturation, oxygen administration, monitoring the heart and checking blood pressure. Access to the equipment and consumables to support these tasks had been designed for the attendant seat (head end of the stretcher), however, a link analysis found that paramedics preferred to sit along side the stretcher which resulted in increased reach distances. The higher frequency tasks were found to include over 40% of working postures which required corrective measures. It was concluded that future ambulance design should be based on an ergonomics analysis (including link analysis and postural analysis) of clinical activities.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Finding ergonomic solutions--participatory approaches.

This paper gives an overview of the theory of participatory ergonomics interventions and summary examples from a range of industries, including health care, military, manufacturing, production and processing, services, construction and transport. The definition of participatory approaches includes interventions at macro (organizational, systems) levels as well as micro (individual), where workers are given the opportunity and power to use their knowledge to address ergonomic problems relating to their own working activities. Examples are given where a cost-effective benefit has been measured using musculoskeletal sickness absence and compensation costs. Other examples, using different outcome measures, also showed improvements, for example, an increase in productivity, improved communication between staff and management, reduction in risk factors, the development of new processes and new designs for work environments and activities. Three cases are described from Canada and Japan where the participatory project was led by occupational health teams, suggesting that occupational health practitioners can have an important role to play in participatory ergonomics projects.

Ergonomics↗

PubMed2005

Determining the space needed to operate a mobile and an overhead patient hoist.

Inadequate bed space affects manual handling techniques and the ability to carry out nursing care tasks. Many nurses will join a trust on the basis of the workspace design of the wards. This paper looks at the space required to operate two types of hoist and argues for the recommended bed space dimensions to be increased.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Hospital ergonomics: a qualitative study to explore the organizational and cultural factors.

The primary objective was to identify the characteristics of the health care industry with respect to organizational and cultural factors and consider how these might impact on the practice of ergonomics. Qualitative methodology was chosen as a suitable approach. This was supported by a middle ground philosophical position. Twenty-one interviews were carried out with academics and practitioners using a questionnaire proforma which developed iteratively over the 18 months of the project. A progressive four stage sampling strategy was used starting with purposive sampling to spread the net. Suggested contacts were then followed up (snowball sampling), before the third stage of intensity sampling to focus on participants with specific experience in hospital ergonomics. A final strategy of analysis sampling sought extreme and deviant cases to achieve theoretical saturation. The analysis resulted in three categories: organizational, staff and patient issues. The organizational issues included both the size and complexity of the National Health Service. For example, three hierarchical lines were identified in the management structure: an administrative line, a professional line and a patient-focused clinical management line. One of the surprising findings for the staff issues was the perceived lack of ergonomic information about female workers as a population group and traditional female employment sectors. The patient issues incorporated three dimensions associated with the caring role: the type of work; expectations; and possible outcomes. The work tends to be dirty and emotional, with a professional subculture to allow the handling of other peoples' bodies. This subculture was linked to a 'coping' attitude where staff put the patients' needs and well-being before their own. The change in patient expectations (from being apologetic through to demanding their rights) is mirrored in a changing model of care from paternalism to partnership. A lack of ergonomic research was identified for female workers in the health care industry relating to both the type of work and gender issues.

Employment↗

PubMed2003

Systematic review of patient handling activities starting in lying, sitting and standing positions.

BACKGROUND: Over the last 20 years a number of methods have been recommended in professional guidelines for moving patients. This review was undertaken as it was recognized that there was a need for clinical work involving handling patients (systems of work and equipment) to be based on scientific evidence. AIMS: The aim of this paper is to report the methodology, search strategy and results relating to work involving the care, treatment and transfer of patients starting in lying, sitting and standing positions. METHODS: An unusual philosophical stance has been taken by appraising studies within a study type rather than comparatively. This facilitated the inclusion of a wide range of study designs (quantitative and qualitative). A string search was run on eight databases and supplemented by other search strategies. A published checklist was selected and inter-rater reliability established before the main review commenced. A systematic process for inclusion, exclusion, appraisal, extraction and synthesis was undertaken. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included: nine for activities with the patient starting in a lying position and 23 for the sitting position. No studies were found with respect to patient handling activities starting in a standing position. These data were synthesized into evidence statements. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence statements support the use of hoists (for nonweight bearing patients), standaids, sliding sheets (double thickness rollers), lateral transfer boards, walking belts and adjustable height beds and baths. It is suggested that these items should constitute a minimum equipment list for any clinical environment where patient handling takes place on a regular basis. The lack of research relating to patient handling in standing is of particular concern and it is recommended that this area should be a high research priority to address concerns about patient handling in rehabilitation activities.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Patient safety.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ergonomics↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence-based patient handling: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This article summarises the findings of an international systematic review of patient handling. More than 880 papers were read, critically appraised and allocated a quality rating score. The evidence supports the provision of a minimal set of equipment for moving and handling patients, and multifactor intervention strategies based on risk assessment rather than those predominantly based on technique training. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that healthcare providers should review their current equipment provision and approach to managing risks and injuries associated with patient handling activities in the context of this research evidence.

Equipment Design↗